X-ray diffractometer

Abstract

In an X-ray diffractometer that reads an X-ray diffraction image by storing and recording the image on a stimulable phosphor, it is possible to realize higher speed of a series of process operations of exposure—read—erase relatively easily and also realize simplification and a small size of a constitution of the diffractometer. The X-ray diffractometer stores and records an X-ray diffraction image on an imaging plate 40 formed of a stimulable phosphor. The imaging plate 40 is installed on a predetermined exposure stage, an eraser 60 is installed behind the imaging plate 40, and a Tear side of an area where the image is stored and recorded is made light transmissive. Whereby, the eraser 60 conducts erasing operation in the area where the image is stored and recorded by irradiating a rear surface of the imaging plate 40 with an erasing light.

1 . An X-ray diffractometer, comprising: 
 an incident X-ray generator for generating a collimated X-ray and irradiating a sample with the collimated X-ray thus generated;    a sample support mechanism for supporting the sample on an optical path of the incident X-ray generated by said incident X-ray generator;    an imaging plate for storing and recording the X-ray diffraction image from the sample by exposing the X-ray diffraction image on a stimulable phosphor;    a reader for reading the stored and recorded image on said imaging plate by stimulated luminescence caused by irradiation of excitation light; and    an eraser for erasing the stored and recorded image by irradiating said imaging plate with an erasing light, said X-ray diffractometer comprising:    exposing the X-ray diffraction image:    reading the stored and recorded image; and    erasing the stored and recorded image, in this order,    wherein said imaging plate is installed on a predetermined exposure stage, said eraser is installed behind said imaging plate, and a rear side of an area where the image is stored and recorded is made light transmissive, and erasing operation is thereby conducted by irradiating a rear surface of said imaging plate with the erasing light.    
   
   
       2 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging plate is formed by a stimulable phosphor sheet laminated on a plate-shaped supporting body and at least the supporting body part laminated with the stimulable phosphor sheet is made light transmissive.  
   
   
       3 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said eraser forms a surface emitter that simultaneously irradiates the entire rear surface of the area where the image of the imaging plate is stored and recorded with the erasing light.  
   
   
       4 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 1 , wherein said eraser is constituted of a plurality of emitters arranged along the rear surface of said imaging plate.  
   
   
       5 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 2 , wherein said eraser forms a surface emitter that simultaneously irradiates the entire rear surface of the area where the image of the imaging plate is stored and recorded with the erasing light.  
   
   
       6 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 2 , wherein said eraser is constituted of a plurality of emitters arranged along the rear surface of said imaging plate.  
   
   
       7 . The X-ray diffractometer according to  claim 3 , wherein said eraser is constituted of a plurality of emitters arranged along the rear surface of said imaging plate.